Spinning device



Jan 39 m50 o. M. GAHAGAN 24934Z9w SPINNING DEVICE 4 Filed March 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Orre/z /l' aaya/z MVM ATTORN EYS O. M. GAHAGAN SPINNING DEVICE Jan. 3 H950 A Filed March 4, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN EY$` Patented Jan. 3, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to a spinning device for operating the spinning cable employed in screwing up sections of drill pipe and similar operations encountered in rotary drilling of earth formations, the principal objects of the invention being to provide a device of this character adapted for control through a pressure fluid; to provide a pressure fluid actuated clutch element for connecting the driving and driven members of the device; to provide manual means for applying and releasing pressure on the fluid for operating the actuator of the clutch element; and to provide auxiliary means for effecting automatic disengagement of the clutch element responsive to wind up of the spinning line or cable.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a spinning device that is of simple, compact construction and of relatively small overall dimens1on.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafter pointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cathead equipped with a spinning mechanism embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal central section through the cathead.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary section on the line 3--3 of Fig. 4, particularly illustrating the mechanism for automatically controlling disengagement of the clutch element between the driving and driven members of the device.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, particularly illustrating the clutch element and operating cylinder therefor.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the stator and driven member or spinning drum, the parts being shown in disassembled spaced relation together with the hose guide reel and the sections forming the ring to retain the parts in assembly.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

I designates a cathead adapted for application to the line shaft 2 of a draw Works in a drilling rig and which incorporates the features of the present invention. The cathead includes a rotor or driving member 3, a housing-like stator 4, a oatline spool 5 formed as a part of the rotor, a driven member or spinning drum 6 and a hose guide reel 1. The rotor or driving member 3 includes a hub 8 having an axial bore 9 to pass the line shaft 2 when the rotor is mounted thereon and connected in driving relation therewith yby a key* 'I0 engaged in registering grooves I I and I2 in the hub and shaft respectively.

Extending circumferentially of the hub at the outer end thereof is an annular web I3 carrying the catline spool 5 which extends therefrom coaxially of the shaft 2. Extending from the opposite side of the web is a driving flange I4 that preferably comprises a sleeve-like cylinder sleeved over the periphery of the web and secured thereto by fastening devices I5. The driving flange I4 has an inner annular face IB that is adapted to be engaged by a clutch element I1 carried upon the winding drum 6 that is mounted on roller bearings I8 carried on a reduced extension I9 of the hub 8 at one side of an annular retaining shoulder 28 (Fig. 2). Loosely mounted on the extension I9 alongside the spinning drum is the hose guide reel 'I that is secured in position by a ring 2| including mating sections 22 andr23 having internally extending ribs 24 engaged within an annular groove 25 of the hub as best shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The sections of the ring are secured together by fastening devices such as bolts 25 that extend through ears 2'I at the ends of the respective sections.

The spinning drum constitutes the driven member and comprises a hub 28 carrying the bearings I8 and having an annular web 29 at the end adjacent the hose guideV reel 'I. The annular web carries a laterally extending circumferential flange 30 that extends over the driving flange as shown in Fig. 2. The ange 38 has annular side flanges 3| and 32 on the outer edges thereto to form winding space 33 for a spinning line or cable 34 that is wound thereon when the winding drum is connected in driven relation with the driving member by means of the clutch II.

The clutch member II includes a resilient arcuate band 35 having spaced apart ends 36 and 3'! interconnected by a fluid pressure actuator 38 and which cooperates with a slotted ear 39 to support the clutch band concentric with the driving flange I 4. The ear 39 is diametrically arranged with respect to the actuator and projects inwardly from the band to receive in the slot 40 a pin 4I that extends laterally from the inner face of the web of the spinning drum as shown in Fig. 4. The band preferably carries on the exterior side thereof a lining 42 for enhancing driving contact with the driving flange.

The fluid pressure actuator includes a cylinder 43 having pistons 44 and 45 reciprocably mounted therein for movement to and from a lateral port 46 of a tubular neck 41 extending through an opening 48 in the web 29 of the spinning drum. The pistons are connected with the ends of the bands by rods 49 slidable through openings 58 in heads 5I of the cylinder and which are pivotally connected as at 52 with ears 53 on the inner face of the band. The clutch band is normally retained in contracted position with the lining out of contact with the driving ange by a spring 54 having the ends thereof secured to the ears '53.

The hose guide reel as best shown in Fig. includes an annular web 55 provided on the sides thereof with side flanges 56 and 51 for retaining a hose 58 therebetween during rotation of the spinning drum.

The stator or housing 4 includes a circular web 60 loosely encircling the flange 56 of the guide reel and which carries a laterally projecting-annular flange 6I that extends over the spinning drum and forms a housing therefor as best shown in Fig. 2. The housing is supported in substantially coaxial relation with the shaft by an arm 62 that extends from the web and is adapted for anchorage to a part of the draw works (not shown) for example, the jackpost supporting the bearing for the shaft 2.

The circumferential flange of the stator housing has a notch-like opening 63 in registry with the spinning drum through which the spinning line or cable 34 extends for wrapping the end thereof around a drill pipe section as later described. The other end of the spinning cable is anchored to the spinning drum by extending the end through an opening 64 of the flange 3| and tying a knot 65 therein. To facilitate tying of the lnot, the circular web of the housing may be provided with an opening 66 through which the end of the spinning line may be projected to permit tying of the knot, after which the line is ,redrawn through the opening to bring the knot into contact with the side of the flange. The housing also has an opening 61 for passing the hose 58.

In order to supply a fluid pressure to effect expansion of the clutch band, the hose 58 leads from the actuator 38 to the source of fluid pressure which provides a pump 68 having a ttng 69 provided with a branch 10 connected with the hose 58. The fitting also includes a branch 'H connected by a duct 12 with a fluid supply vessel 13. a check valve 14 being inserted in the duct `so as to maintain pump pressure when fluid is being supplied through the hose 55 to actuate the clutch band.

In order to prevent overwinding of the spinning cable on the spinning drum, I provide an auxiliary means for automatically releasing pressure frOm the actuator to the storage vessel 13 when a predetermined number of wraps of spinning line have been made on the winding drum. This is accomplished'by means of a lever 15 pivotally mounted as at 16 between ears 11 which project from the flange of the stator housing in registry with a slot 18 aligning with the winding space of the spinning drum as best shown in Fig. 3. The lever is formed so that a portion thereof extends into the space to contact the cable wound therein. This is effected by forming the lever with an arm portion 19 extending through the slot and carrying a bar portion 80 having an arm 8l extending outwardly through the lslot so that the bar portion of the lever is retained in bridging relation with the winding Space on the drum and adapted to be moved outwardly in case a second layer of spinning cable should tend to wind thereon to eifect rocking of the lever and actuation of a valve 82 mounted in xed position on the circular web of the housing and which has an actuating arm 83 connected by a link 84 with the arm of the lever 15. The valve has an inlet 85 connected by a duct 86 with a branch 81 of the fitting 69. The valve also has an outlet 88 connected by a duct 89 with the vessel 13. Therefore, if more than a predetermined number of layers are Wound on the reel, the valve 82 opens connection between the ducts 86 and 89 to bypass the pressure fluid to the vessel so that the pressure drops in the cylinder 38 and the spring 54 is effective in contracting the clutch band and release the driving connection with the driving flange.

In using the apparatus constructed and assembled as described, the clutch band 31 is mounted on the web 29 of the spinning drum and the spinning Vdrum 6 is mounted on the hub I9 of the rotor or driving member 3. The hose guide reel 1 is then sleeved over the hub I9 and the parts are retained in assembly by application of the retaining ring 2l which includes the sections 22 and 23. The stator housing 4 is then sleeved over the shaft 2 and secured concentrically therewith by attaching the bracket arm 62 with a xed part of the draw works.

The assembly is then mounted on the shaft 2 so that the groove II in the hub passes over the key I8. The uid pressure connections 58, 12 and 89 are then made with the fluid pressure actuator 3 8 and valve 82, pump 68 and vessel 13, the pump 68 being located in convenient reach of the operator, however, the storage vessel 13 may be mounted in any convenient position in the drilling rig, but is is desirable that the vessel be located relative to the valve 82 so as to promote ow through the duct 89. The spinning drum is then turned so that the opening'64 therein registers with the opening 66. An end of the spinning line 34 is projected through the opening 63 of the stator housing and threaded through the opening 64 so that the end projects through the opening 86. A knot 65 is then tied in the line and the line is retracted through the opening 66 so that the knot 65 engages the side of the spinning drum (see Fig. 1).

When pressure in the clutch actuating cylinder 38 is released through raising of the pump handle S0 by the spring SI, the pressure drops so that the band contracting spring 54 is effective in holding the clutch band 35 out of contact with the driving flange I4. Therefore, the shaft 2 and driving member 3 may rotate during use of the draw works without operating the spinning drum 6. When it is desired to use the spinning line 34, the free end thereof is coiled about a section of drill pipe (not shown) to be threaded into the pipe supported in the bore hole in such a direction that pull of the cable will impart a turning movement of the drill pipe section so as to turn it onto the threads of the section suspended in the bore hole. After coiling or wrapping of the spinning line 34, the lever SD of the pump 68 is pushed downwardly against action of the spring 8l so that pressure is established through the hose 58 in the pressure cylinder 38 to effect outward movement of the pistons 44 and 45 and expansion of the clutch band I1 into contact with the driving flange I4 of the rotor. The clutch band I1 being carried by the spinning drum effects rotation thereof to Wind the spinning cable 34 about the periphery of the spinning drum as shown in Fig. 3 to produce the turning movedrum, the excess layers will effect rocking of the lever 'I5 so as to open the valve 82 and establish connection between the pressure line 86 and the vessel 13, thereby relieving pressure between the pistons Mand 45 so that the spring 54 is effective in contracting the clutch band and returning the pistons to their original position.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided acathead with a spinning mechanism adapted to be operated by a pressure fluid and which isv provided with a safety mechanism for automatically suspending a spinning operation when a predetermined number of coils has been formed about the spinning drum.

It is also obvious that 1 have provided a simple in operation. Y

What 1 claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is; Y

l. An apparatus of the character described including a driving member, a driven member, clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said members in driving relation, a pressure uid operated actuator for the clutch means, a storage vessel for retaining fluid medium under a low pressure, duct means connecting the vessel with the actuator, means in said duct for applying pressure to the fluid medium to actuate the clutch means, a check valve in said duct means intermediate the pressure applying means and the storage vessel, and auxiliary means for releasing said pressure to that contained in the storage vessel.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving member, a driven member for winding a spinning cable, a spinning cable connected with the driven member to wind on the driven member, clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said members, actuating means for effecting said connection and disconnection of said members by the clutch means, an auxiliary means contacting the spinning cable for automatically disconnecting the clutch means.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving member, a driven member for winding a spinning cable, a spinning cable connected with the driven member to wind on the driven member, clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said members, a pressure fluid operated actuator for the clutch means, means for supplying fluid medium to said actuator under pressure for effecting' actuation of said clutch means and for releasing pressure on the fluid medium to release the clutch means, and an auxiliary clutch releasing means contacting the spinning cable for automatically releasing pressure in said actuator.

4. An apparatus of the character described including, a spinning drum member, a driving member, means supporting said members in coaxial alignment, a clutch flange on one of said members, a clutch element carried on the other of said members and engageable with said clutch flange to effect a driving connection between said members, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of the rotatable members for actuating said clutch element, a hose connected with the hydraulic cylinder, means connected with said hose for supplying pressure medium to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the clutch element, a guide reel for guiding the hose during rotation of the spinand compact mechanism that is positive and safe ning drum, and means responsive to winding offa spinning line on the spinning drum for releasing the pressure fluid from the hydraulic cylinder.

5. An apparatus of the character Vdescribed including, a spinningdrum member, a driving member, means supporting said members in coaxial'alignment, a clutch flange on one of said members, a clutch element carried onV the other of said members and engageable with said clutch flange to effect a driving connection between said members, a hydraulic cylinder for actuating said clutch element, a guide reel carried on said supporting means in coaxial alignment with the spinning drum member, a hose connected with the hydraulic cylinder and arranged to wrap on the guide reel, means connected with said hose for supplying pressure medium to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the clutch element, and means responsive to winding of a spinning line on the spinning drum for releasing the pressure fluid from the hydraulic cylinder. 2

6. An apparatus of the character described including a spinning drum member, a cable for winding on the spinning drum member, a driving member, means supporting said members in coaxial alignment, a clutch flange on one of said members, a clutch element carried on the other of said members and engageable with said clutch ilange to effect a driving connection between said members, a hydraulic cylinder for actuating said clutch element, a flexible duct connected with the hydraulic cylinder, means connected with said duct for supplying pressure medium tothe hydraulic cylinder to actuate the clutch element and to release pressure on said medium, a pressure relief valve, means supported in position relative to the spinning drum member for contacting the cable wound on said member, and an operative connection between the contacting means and said valve for actuating the valve.

7. An apparatus of the character described including, a spinning drum member, a cable for winding on the spinning drum member, a driving member, means supporting said members in coaxial alignment, a clutch flange on one of said members, a clutch element carried on the other of said members and engageable with said clutch flange to effect a driving connection betwen said members, a hydraulic cylinder for actuating said clutch element, a guide reel carried on said supporting means in coaxial alignment with the spinning drum member, a flexible duct connected with the hydraulic cylinder, means connected with said duct for supplying pressure medium to the hydraulic cylinder to actuate the clutch element and to release pressure on said medium, a stator enclosing the spinning drum, a pressure relief valve carried on the stator and having connection with said pressure supplying means to provide an auxiliary release for said pressure, cable contacting means movably supported on the stator in position to be actuated by the cable when winding on said drum, and an operating connection between the contacting means and said valve for actuating the valve responsive to movement of the contacting means.

8. An apparatus of the character described including, a spinning drum member, a driving drum member, means supporting said members in coaxial alignment, a clutch engaging means on one of said members, a clutch element carried on the other of said members and engageable with said clutch engaging means to effect a driving connection between said members, a hydraulic cylinder carried by one of the members for actuatlngsaickolutch element;.aiduotliavingfa= exibl'e portion; connecte@ with: the hydraulic" cylinder; means; connected' with; said` duch. for.' supplying pressure; fluid; ca/the hydraulic', cylinder to: actu atei the clutcln` elementi and to releasei pressure"` on saith suppliedA iiuicl,` ai pressure: relief: Valve corrnected;with\ said ductimeansaresponsive.toiwnding: of: a` spinning.' liner on'. the spinning. drum'` to a'ctuatet said reii'ef: valve.. a. vesself for: retaining said fluid',`a ductconnectin'g the reliefvalve with said vesselv for discharging pressure'torthe' vessel that is;y relieved: througlr said valve,' a` duct con:- necting'the storage Vessel;with the pressureisup" ply"m1eans;.and a. check val'vcin theA ductinterme diete.Y the vesseitandtne connection of' the :rs't named;ductiwitlizsaidspressure:supply'andrelease means;

Im au apparatus. of: the; character' described;v

ai rotor' having: a hub portion. adapted to'v be mounted' onza drivingishafwsaid driving member having an annular flange. extending. coaxially about.` the lub'; inspaced. relation; therewith;` a driven: member.' having' a; hub portion rotatably mounted*l ont the hub. of4 the4 driving.` member' and extending into'. said: space, said driven member having; aaradial annular'ange anda lateral cable winding portionv extendingv circumferentiallyf of the; annular flange on the driving member for winding; ai cable-friction clutchmeansacarried by.

,g 'said radial flange .ofltlrev drlverr` member' and adapted to frictionally engagethe annular' flange om the', driving' memben. a" pressure cylinder carred by saidi radial flange' ofthei drivene member andi having. an' operative connection withY the f-ri'ctiorr clutch to move'said' frictionclut'clr into driving-fz engagement: Witl'rv said annular ange'; a gui'd'ez reel' rotatably' mounted'. on'. the hub oi" the drivin@ member; a flexible duct connected with the cylinder and?. adapted towrap' around' the guide' reeltand n unwind therefromiuponl turning of the driven member, and a' housingV enclosing'the driverii member' and: the guide reel said housing having; openings for' passing the' cable and said exibie duct;

ORREN GALHAGANI REFERENCES.' GITEBY The following' references are of record in the 1`e= of thispatent: i

UTED STATES PATENTS.:

Number Name Date 1,600,477 Knight Sept'. 21, 1926 2,'1895373 y Steel Feb.- 6-, 1940 220158781 Atkinsr... May21, 1940 2,262,694' Minyard- NOV. 11', 1941 2,481,161 Schreiber Sept. 6', 1949 

